Dennis Gaviola

Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera has officially started his term as the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Photo from Archdiocese of Lipa via CBCP News

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Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17694231720931769423172882.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera has officially started his term as the president of the Catholic Bishops&#x27; Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Photo from Archdiocese of Lipa via CBCP News"/>Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera has officially started his term as the president of the Catholic Bishops&#x27; Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Photo from Archdiocese of Lipa via CBCP News</div>MANILA — Newly elected Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Gilbert A. Garcera on Monday warned of corruption and political division as the bishops outlined their priorities for the next two years and called for dialogue with the government.“Since my election as president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines in July 2025, I&#x27;ve been asking myself, where is the Holy Spirit leading the Church of the Philippines?” said Garcera.“Where is the Holy Spirit leading bishops as a conference? After some time of prayer and reflection, I came to the following priorities for the next two years,” he added.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/1/lipa-archbishop-gilbert-garcera-assumes-as-cbcp-president-0927">READ: Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera assumes as CBCP president</a></div>Speaking on Monday after the bishops’ plenary assembly, Garcera said the gathering was primarily convened to present the spiritual and pastoral direction of the Church from 2025 to 2027, including care for bishops, strengthening commissions, and advancing synodality. Church leaders steered the discussion toward political conflict and the church’s expanding role in anti corruption efforts.Asked about the Church’s position on the recent impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said the issue was not discussed by the bishops and remains a political matter outside any formal Church stand.He acknowledged that Filipino society is deeply divided on the issue of corruption that involves President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.“Sa aking pakikipagpulong sa maraming mga civil society…ay masabi ko hati ang kanilang mga opinion. Merong mga sumusuporta, meron ding dadalawang isip na baka games of the general ito. Kaya hindi ko rin masabi ko na ano talaga ang pros and cons nito ng impeachment na na-file nila,” Bagaforo said.The Church leaders warned that impeachment and political conflicts could further fracture the nation at a time when Filipinos are already burdened by calamities and economic hardship.Bishop Gerardo Alminaza noted that political affiliations often dictate how citizens respond to such controversies, heightening the risk of social division.“More and more, we are aware of the extensive and widespread corruption that we are really moved to do something about it…We cannot just expect one sector of society or the government alone. But it is really the work of everybody. And it has become systemic. That’s why we need collective action to respond,” Alminaza said.Under Garcera’s presidency, the CBCP signaled a stronger institutional role in monitoring public projects and promoting good governance.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/1/who-is-archbishop-garcera-the-new-cbcp-president-1444">READ: Who is Archbishop Garcera, the new CBCP president?</a></div>They cited existing memorandum of cooperation with the Department of Public Works and Highways, local government units, and civil society organizations, and said they intend to expand these arrangements to other agencies, including the Department of Education and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.At the heart of the Church’s anti-corruption campaign, leaders said, is the formation of conscience and what they repeatedly called the “conversion of the heart.”“Siguro mahalaga ang paghiling ng konsensya…I think very important, first, make sure that nakokonsensya ang tao. Pangalawa, we pray that there’s a conversion of the heart, na kung sino man ang taong iyon. I think very important for us to be touched by the Holy Spirit…so that proper conversion and synodality will be there,” Garcera said.Garcera and other bishops also confirmed that, while no formal meetings have yet taken place with government officials since his assumption of office in December, the CBCP remains open to dialogue, including with President Marcos Jr.On future relations with Malacañang, they underscored that communication, humility, and dialogue, not confrontation, would guide Church and state engagement.Asked directly whether Garcera would be willing to meet the President, the answer was unambiguous.“Yes, of course. We are open to dialogue with the President,” he said.As impeachment debates intensify and corruption scandals continue to surface, the bishops said their approach would remain anchored on conscience formation, collective action, and open channels with the state, seeking not confrontation, but moral clarity and national healing at a time of growing division.

Newly elected Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Gilbert A. Garcera on Monday warned of corruption and political division as the bishops outlined their priorities for the next two years and called for dialogue with the government.

Newly elected Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Gilbert A. Garcera on Monday warned of corruption and political division as the bishops outlined their priorities for the next two years and called for dialogue with the government.

New CBCP leader warns of ‘systemic’ corruption, urges dialogue with the government

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New CBCP leader warns of ‘systemic’ corruption, urges dialogue with the government

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 26, 2026 06:27 PM PHT

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CBCP

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Gilbert Garcera

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